At Firehouse Theatre, my ten-year-old and I found ourselves immersed in the magic of Peter and the Starcatcher, told through witty dialogue, talented performers, and a set that delivered us straight to Neverland. Now through September 1 at Firehouse Theatre, you too can lose yourself in the prequel to the beloved story of Peter Pan.
Five Reasons to See Peter and the Starcatcher at Firehouse Theatre
Talented Cast
Wow, this show has such a talented ensemble! From Scott Wichmann (Black Stache) delivering hilarious and perfectly timed lines, to Boy (Lukas D’Errico) transforming from hardened and sad, to happy and hopeful. And of course, Shannon Schilstra (Molly) embodies the energetic and intelligent character with ease. The entire cast works together flawlessly, and keeps the pace quick and fun to watch.
Important Messaging
As cliché as it sounds, “to have faith is to have wings” is the powerful message delivered in the show. My kids and I talk a lot about faith, but this play illustrates that faith can be trust in different things for different people – not only in a religious type of faith but also, faith in oneself. And, of course, sometimes we can’t believe in ourselves until someone believes in us first. This comes alive as Peter begins to open up and trust Molly. Once he has this faith, he is able to be brave.
Another message is the reminder of the power of imagination, the innocence of childhood, and how growing up can be bittersweet. I don’t need to tell you how fast kids are growing up these days, or how much I miss the true simplicity of my nineties childhood. We all know these things! It’s just so nice to escape for the duration of the show and appreciate the joys of childhood again.
An Outing for Parents and Tweens
This show is ideal for a tween or teen and parent outing. At thirteen, Molly (Shannon Schilstra) will connect easily with this age demographic, and will likely inspire them with her passion and faith. As my daughter straddles childhood – playing with toys and dolls, using her imagination – and the teen years, the show comes at a perfect time. It serves as a reminder of the magic of childhood and hopefully inspires her to hold on to that sense of wonder. Although there are a few lines that may go over kids’ heads, that is balanced by the comedic relief of Alf (William Vaughn). The show is two and a half hours long, so I suggest bringing kids ten and older, and I always recommend aisle seats when bringing kids to plays.
Intimate Theater
You simply can’t have a bad seat at Firehouse Theatre. Because of its size, as soon as you enter you’ll feel as if you’ve boarded the ship with Molly, Black Stach, Smee, and the rest of the cast. Not only that, but the intimacy of the venue lends itself to being an engaged audience member, clapping when encouraged to do so by Black Stache (Scott Wichmann), and being actively in awe as Molly floats above deck to prove that she is in fact a Starcatcher apprentice.
If you’ve never been to Firehouse Theatre, you will appreciate that prior to the show, you’ll receive an email with parking information and nearby restaurant suggestions. Concessions include drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), chips, and candy. Juice boxes are free for children.
Costume and Set Design
The effects of the show bring just the right touch of magic. My daughter and I both loved Molly and her father, Lord Leonard Aster (Alexander Sapp) using the amulets to communicate. As they would speak to one another, the amulets actually glow. While this effect is subtle, it serves as a sign of connection between the two, and can help young audience members to understand that even though the two aren’t physically together, they’re still bonded in a special way. As another nod to the importance of imagination, we loved the use of simple props, like a rope, to create doors. Just as imaginative children find surprising uses for everyday items, so did the cast!
Beyond visual effects, sound effects, like waves crashing, help add to the experience, truly taking the audience on the voyage.
Be sure to catch the show now through September 1, 2024. Purchase tickets online in advance.
Read more about the show in Joan’s interview with Nathaniel Shaw, Firehouse Theatre’s producing artistic director.
